About THE SAD TRUTH

This site is dedicated to all the parrots who, in the care of Susanne Cochran and Craig Perkins, appeared to have experienced preventable suffering, apparent health decline, or passed away under circumstances that raised concern among staff and customers. Whether still with us or gone too soon, their lives and wellbeing matter. These birds meant so much to those of us who were not in a position to ensure they received veterinary attention or to intervene in the conditions we personally witnessed or believed to be harmful. 

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This is for them—and for others like them. In tribute:

 

• Rainbow (Blue & Gold Macaw) – Medical care ignored and mishandled by Susanne. She developed a progressive, ultimately terminal illness that worsened over time without medical intervention. She now requires ongoing, expensive medical treatment to manage her condition for the remaining time she has left. She is currently in the care of a former staff member.

• Sadie (Eclectus) – Health concerns ignored and sold by Susanne without disclosure to the new owner. Requires ongoing, expensive medical care.

• Chicky (Blue & Gold Macaw) – Staff repeatedly raised concerns about Chicky’s physical and wellbeing issues, including bleeding, loose stool, and loss of appetite, but veterinary care was delayed or not provided. She became lethargic the day she died. Staff believe the outcome might have been different with timely intervention.

• Buddy (Miligold Macaw) – Ongoing health concerns documented by staff did not resolve and he died at Avalon.

• Bob (Blue & Gold Macaw) – Staff suspected Craig Perkins of physically injuring Bob, who was a female. She displayed medically concerning symptoms that were not treated and died while still in Susanne and Craig’s care.

• Sailor (Military Macaw) – Susanne delayed veterinary care for an ongoing medical issues for over a year as he was separated sporadically from the other birds and then put back with them. Staff reported witnessing her husband forcibly remove Sailor from his cage on more than one occasion as he screamed and bit. Susanne excused it as "wrestling". Staff also observed Susanne pin Sailor to the bottom of his cage repeatedly to administer medications when there are humane, gentle ways to medicate him which the Store Manager did every time. Extreme behavioral changes occurred after, which they believed were linked to these incidents.

• Charlotte (Green Winged Macaw) – Staff witnessed Susanne’s husband forcibly manhandling Charlotte and pull her by tail as she screamed and tried to escape. Staff believe similar incidents occurred when no one else was present, because Charlotte, once sociable, experienced a sudden and extreme change in behavior around the same time. She also exhibited signs of illness that persisted for over a year without veterinary follow-up even though Susanne admitted to various staff members from time to time that she needed to go back to the vet.

• Olivia (Hyacinth Macaw) – Olivia was placed with another male Hyacinth in a breeding cage with a nest box and minimal enrichment. Both birds were fully feathered when housed together, but both began plucking severely. Staff were told about Olivia’s open wounds and recurring infections. Susanne described instances where medication was stopped and started and where her husband removed Olivia’s cone which prevented chewing at the wounds. Olivia ultimately died and then Susanne discovered Olivia was also a male. When a staff member later asked about Olivia’s death, Susanne appeared upset that she knew and questioned who told her.

• Lilikoi (Cape Parrot) – Medical concerns were left unaddressed for an extended period. She plucked most of her feathers before eventually being taken to a vet.

• Lucius (Double Yellow Headed Amazon) – Susanne told staff she took Lucius home to medicate him after a veterinary appointment, but days later returned him to the store and stated she no longer believed he needed treatment. He was consistently observed sleeping throughout the day, even mornings and evenings when other are active, which was also dismissed. 

• Zazu (Great Billed Parrot) – Zazu was kept in a breeder building on Susanne’s property for years with severe feather damage and a beak deformity that were not addressed. His condition remained unchanged until he was brought to the store, where staff provided appropriate care and he began to improve.

• Lee (Great Billed Parrot) – Lee was kept in a breeder building on Susanne’s property with a significant beak deformity and missing tail feathers. His condition remained unchanged for years. After being brought to the store, staff provided appropriate care, including regular beak grooming and proper nutrition. Over seven months, his tail feathers regrew and his beak was transformed into a much more normal shape.

• Suki (Congo African Grey) – Susanne threw Suki across the store and cursed at her after a minor bite. This happened despite Suki being a nervous, plucked parrot who had finally begun to trust staff and regrow her feathers. Susanne later told two other employees about the incident and laughed while recounting it.

• Axel (Yellow Naped Amazon) – Died just over a year after being purchased from Avalon, in the arms of her owner, following many months of costly, life-extending veterinary care. The severity of her illness raised concerns about her health at the time of sale.

• Robbie (Blue Headed Amazon) – Purchased from Avalon with Axel. She also required many months of costly veterinary care, that could not resolve her condition, which caused ongoing pain and loss of quality of life. She had to be humanely euthanized just over a year after being purchased from Avalon.

• Ricky & Lucy - Kakarikis purchased by Susanne to breed and left at the store shelter for many months where they developed bright green feces and died.

• Tinker - Blue Throated Macaw who died in 2024 of unclear causes.

• Woody - Severe Macaw who turned red while in Susanne's care and died prematurely in 2024. 

• 2 endangered, female Great Billed Parrots who were in Susanne's breeding program. Died of unclear causes between 2023 and 2024. 

• Merlin - Blue & Gold Macaw who Susanne bred and kept his whole life, who only lived into his 30s. 

• JoJo - Jardine Parrot who died suddenly in 2024 under uncertain circumstances.

• Breeding pair of Timneh African Greys Susanne described as being found skeletal (dead) in their nest box at her home.

• Numerous Lovebirds killed by Hyacinths at Susanne's home.

• Female Cockatiel who flew out of the breeding facility at Susanne's.

• Numerous baby parrots (budgies, cockatiels, conures, amazons, and eclectus) who died mysteriously or from known illnesses like Klebsiella.

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This site is maintained by individuals concerned with animal welfare and aims to raise awareness, share experiences, and encourage regulatory accountability. It is not affiliated with any government or regulatory body and does not make legal claims or determinations.